A Bridgewater business will have to explore other options after their large sidewalk patio concept was denied by the town.
LannaThai was hoping to set up the licensed area on King Street by next spring.
However, Director of Planning, Jessica McDonald says it won’t work due to the changing street design and safety concerns near a busy intersection.
“Part of it is a structural design of the street that can’t be moved at this point to accommodate what they would want for a licensed patio. There are rules that come outside of the Town of Bridgewater, so there is rules from Alcohol and Gaming about what a licensed patio would look like and those two things aren’t going to align.”
McDonald feels there are other options that could work including a smaller patio area.
But, she says there would need to be enough space for pedestrians to walk.
Meanwhile, the general manager and co-owner of LannaThai, David Trueman, says a smaller patio is possible.
He says two to three tables could be set up in front of the business.
“One of the reason we engaged the town is to basically start the process of hoping to get a licensed area out front because there are by-laws that would have to be created for that.”
Trueman says having a patio area would offer people a chance to eat while enjoying the outdoors and the new park once its complete.
He remains hopeful that the area can be setup next spring.
